Dodgers Defeat Cubs 4-1 in Tokyo as Ohtani, Yamamoto Lead the Way/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Los Angeles Dodgers kicked off the MLB season with a 4-1 win over the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo. Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw five strong innings, Shohei Ohtani had two hits and scored twice, and the defending champions capitalized on a Cubs error to break the game open. The Cubs took an early lead, but the Dodgers shut them down after the third inning.
Dodgers Open MLB Season with 4-1 Win Over Cubs in Tokyo: Quick Looks
- Yamamoto’s Strong Debut: Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched five solid innings, allowing just one run on three hits.
- Ohtani Delivers: Shohei Ohtani went 2-for-5, scored twice, and sparked the Dodgers’ comeback.
- Cubs Strike First: Miguel Amaya’s RBI double in the second inning gave Chicago an early 1-0 lead.
- Dodgers Rally in the Fifth: A Cubs throwing error opened the door for three Dodgers runs.
- Flawless Dodgers Bullpen: Yamamoto and three relievers combined to retire 16 straight Cubs batters.
- Freeman & Betts Out: Freddie Freeman (rib discomfort) and Mookie Betts (illness) missed the opener.
- Next Game: Roki Sasaki makes his MLB debut for the Dodgers against Justin Steele of the Cubs.
Dodgers Open 2025 MLB Season with 4-1 Win Over Cubs in Tokyo
Yamamoto & Ohtani Shine in Japan Homecoming
With a historic all-Japanese pitching matchup on Opening Day, Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Dodgers) and Shota Imanaga (Cubs) delivered strong performances in front of an enthusiastic crowd in Japan. Shohei Ohtani added two hits, including a key single to spark the Dodgers’ rally.
Cubs Strike First, But Dodgers Respond
Chicago took an early 1-0 lead in the second inning when Miguel Amaya drove in Dansby Swanson with a two-out RBI double.
However, the Dodgers responded in the fifth inning against Cubs reliever Ben Brown (0-1). A throwing error by second baseman Jon Berti extended the inning, allowing Tommy Edman and Will Smith to drive in runs with singles.
Ohtani, who had been hitless, lined a single through the right side during the rally, which proved to be a turning point in the game.
Yamamoto’s Solid Debut
Making his MLB regular-season debut, Yamamoto (1-0) pitched five innings, giving up just one run on three hits while striking out four. He was backed by a dominant bullpen:
- Tanner Scott earned the save.
- Relievers Anthony Banda, Ben Casparius, and Blake Treinen combined to retire 16 straight batters from the third to the eighth inning.
- The Cubs didn’t record a hit after the third inning.
Dodgers Overcome Lineup Absences
The Dodgers were missing key stars, with:
- Freddie Freeman scratched before the game due to rib discomfort.
- Mookie Betts ruled out for both Tokyo games due to illness.
Despite those absences, the Dodgers’ depth proved crucial in securing the season-opening win.
Looking Ahead: Sasaki Set for MLB Debut
The two-game Tokyo series concludes Wednesday night, with Japanese rookie sensation Roki Sasaki making his MLB debut for the Dodgers against Cubs left-hander Justin Steele.
Baseball fans in Japan and across the world will be eagerly watching as Sasaki, a highly touted young pitcher, takes the mound for the first time in Major League Baseball.
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